Germany AAR

[mrchuck]

0517: Ramillies-class hit by 5 more torps. Definitely done for.

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0519: BC Queen Mary-class hit by torp. Conversely, CL Stettin hit by several shells, badly damaged and retiring.
There goes the other BB.

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Our battle division will now work on the lone BC while the cruisers work the lighter escorts and trasnports.
0532: Ordered flotilla attack.
0535: Our turn. BB Tirpitz hit by torp.
0546: Queen Mary class hit by torp.
0602: CA Berwick-class hit by torp.
Airstrikes arriving from the German carriers. Breaking off, not much left for them to do.
0604: Berwick-class takes two more torps.
0629: BC Queen Mary-class hit by two more torps, breaks her back and sinks.
0634: Flotilla attack recalled, no worthwhile targets left.
0800++: German airstrikes finish off the remaining transports.
0930-1041: Enemy airstrikes attack the retiring Germans. No effect. I have not been able to engage the enemy CVLs due to inconsistent and generally poor quality sighting reports.

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Another victory. In exchange for many ships damaged and one DD lost, 2 BB, a BC and a CA sunk along with 11 DDS and the entire convoy. I think the British will sue for peace soon. We have pretty much destroyed RN Mk. 3.
Major victory, +2P. Germany is now in the unusual position of outnumbering the British 2:1.

[mrchuck]

1938, October.
Sitting this month out if at all possible, plenty of damaged ships to repair.
The Japanese are showing no signs of reinforcing the British, so that's OK. Mothballed the two oldest BBs are they are now obsolete and earmarked for carrier conversion when funds permit. Laid down two Bismarcks (essentially the same as Elsass and Tirpitz classes, but more AA) to keep the shipyard owners happy--then halted them.

The AI nations have all got docks 60k+ but I really don't see the point. Huge gun armed vessels will be white elephants soon enough, and may be harder to use in the next few years--at least, that's the theory. We'll see. I can build as much battleship as I want right now on 46k, and the last 6 or 8 I've built will make good BBGs in the late 40s. So far this policy has been very successful, but a window may open where mine are outclassed and air power doesn't make up for it.

Nonetheless, that's how I'm going to proceed.
1938, November-December.
The boffins have come up with TP4. Scrapping the Bismarcks on the stocks (TP3 only) and will design that in.
Down to 3x BB and 2x cruisers under repair. 10x 3000 ton DDs under construction, along with 2 CA and 2 CL.
British very quiet.

[mrchuck]

1939, January
Seven of my BBs are now obsolete, though not seriously so. Two mothballed as noted, the next oldest two are getting a minor refit to add AA and AA directors. No time for engine rebuilds at the moment--I can't spare the ships for a year.
British decline to venture out of port this month. Can't say I blame them.

1939, February. Laid down and halted two Hannover BBs with TP4.
3 Blucher class CAs also sent for rebuild with more AA and AA directors.
One indecisive action between a CL and one of my KEs, and then...
Dispatch from the front: we won.

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Let's see what's on the table.

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12 value up for grabs. That would get me either Egypt and Malta or Gib and Malta but not all of them.
Rather annoyingly, you can't look at the map while pondering these things, but if I remember correctly Egypt only has a base cap of 50 while Gibraltar and Malta total 170. This would be enough for around half the fleet as it stands.

Normally I wouldn't get into adventurous policy like this, but since this is an AAR I'll take the rock and Malta and see what happens. Don't want any of the other stuff because it's too hard to defend. The Med is one move away from Northern Europe so much easier to reinforce--assuming I'm not blockaded myself.
The new map of the world. Germany has arrived in the Mediterranean. Modest increase in FS of 4250 tons--one cruiser. Not bad.

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Also this has pushed the budget heavily negative, so suspending the construction of four cruisers. Refitting existing units is more urgent and there may be some scrappings as well.

[mrchuck]

1940, August
War with Russia! They have tried to torpedo one of our ships in harbour, and, of course, missed.
I didn't see this coming, so the fleet is unready. Instituting extra training imediately, and moving what I can to the Baltic.
Suspending all new contruction for the time being, though I have two more carrier conversions which will be ready in three months.
State of the fleets:

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Their newest BCs look quite dangerous. However, they only have BC scale protection, and all-forward armament. I personally don't care for this arrangement much, great if you're attacking all the time, but tactically limiting in other scenarios.
I will nonetheless need to tread carefully while the fleet trains up.

[mrchuck]

1940, November
The Russian fleet hasn't ventured out of port for three months and they're blockaded. They have a cruiser force in Northern Europe but this is nuisance value only and I'm ignoring it for the time being.
Nov 6: We have intercepted a Russian commerce raider in the Baltic. It's nearly dark, so if we're outgunned I can fly and if not, can press the attack and we'll have an advantage.

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1437: Enemy sighted. Firing torps immediately and veering away at flank speed.

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Missed. They slipped away in the mist; however, it's a CL so a fair fight and we'll carry on.
1515: Verdammt! They got a lucky engine room hit, so the CL is slowed to 24 kts and has flotation damage. Disengaging.

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Minor victory, we got some hits and the flotation damage wasn't severe.

[mrchuck]

1940, December.
An empty battle has been generated. Supposedly the latest patch fixes this--I'm still on 52 and haven't installed it yet

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And as usual, it's happening in West Africa for no adequately explained reason.

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The 500 mins pass harmlessly, but look at this!

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Saving the game, exiting and restarting. No way back from this problem that I know of.
More disturbingly, I have enough funds for another 9-10 months before I have to start putting ships into reserve so as not to go broke. I hope the Russians run out of food before I run out of money.

[mrchuck]

1941, February.
I've put the two oldest and slowest BBs into reserve to slow the drain of funds. I can now keep fighting for at least a year.

CL Koln intercepts a raider. Turns out to be a CA, 8x 9". Both sides take damage, Koln has flotation damage and must break off. We've hit the CA 18 times and that may be enough. The Russian is happy enough to see us leave.
German minor, CA limps home.
Relations with France and Italy are getting worse. Could be bulk trouble in the offing. I will seek peace sooner rather than later I think.

March-April. No activity by Russia.

1941, May.
May 26, 2140. A Russian cruiser force has surprised a CL squadron in the Baltic. I suspect this may include BCs so will endeavour to retreat.

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2142: enemy spotted. That looks like a large ship. Ordering flotilla attack to cover the CLs. Supplemental orders: run away!

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2150: DDs cause the Russian to scatter northwards. Recalling survivors...still running away. Looked a lot like 4 BCs (unconfirmed, four of something anyway)
Making for my nearest minefield...let them play in there if they want.
0450 next morning: Friendly airstrikes go in. No hits.

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It was 4 CLs after all, but I would have been outnumbered 2:1. Not good odds against light forces which are usually a lot more effective in a peer-to-peer battle.

[mrchuck]

1941, June
The Reichstag has finally come to the party and voted more funds. Budget balanced now, I can keep this up indefinitely...however...
Relations with France and Italy still getting worse. Where is the exit door please?
1941, July.
We can surprise an enemy force (maybe, intel can be dicey at the best of times)
Sortieing some cruisers and CVs to find out if we can end this thing.

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July 30, 1127
Enemy sighted. Engaging.
1144: CA Hansa struck by two torps. Breaks her back and sinks in minutes.

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1204: Russian DDs close to drive us off. I think the German gunnery is making them a bit uncomfortable.

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1236: so far the Russians have done very well--a DD for a CA and a DD. But I'm not prepared to leave it at that. While their torpedo attacks have been formidable, their gunnery is awful. Trying for some carrier strikes as well. They haven't achieved much so far, but you never know.
1257: They're getting away. Increasing to flank speed to try and run them down.
1443: Bagged two CLs, the remainder of the enemy force has escaped to the north--but will still have to run the gauntlet of land-based air. Retiring the surface forces.
Result. Russian minor, and I lost 1 P. Oh well, had to be a first time. France looking very much like they want to join in...

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[mrchuck]

1941, September.
A most unexpected and pleasing development. Japan has joined on our side--and is allied to France and Britain. This may dampen or at least delay French intervention against us, and if I ally with Japan may reverse the situation. Furthermore, Japan has reasonable relations with USA currently, so that's another risk less.

At the very least, it may convince the Russians to throw in the towel before things get seriously out of hand.

I welcome the action of our Japanese brothers in the Pacific!
Two German CLs intercept raiding Russian CL and sink it. I feel a little better about losing that CA now. +1P for this action.

1941, October
Alliance signed with Japan. The Russians have nothing in the Far East, and are refusing battle consistently in the Baltic. I do not see how this can turn out well for them.
1941, November. All quiet everywhere.

1941, December. The Russian General Secretary dismisses our peace feelers out of hand. France still holding off--they're in a tricky spot if they turn on us, since they have very little in the Far East as well. And I suspect the Japanese will be very keen to pick up a few possessions there if the opportunity arises.

December 6: Trying another ambush on Russian cruisers. Weather overcast, but not enough to restrict air ops.

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Let's see if we can do better this time.
1142: Russians sighted.

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1207: Enemy is one CA and one DD.

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Won't comment until the action is over, in view of what happened last time...
1245: DD neutralised, probably sinking.
1329: DD and CA both sunk. +1P for this.

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France still holding off. I am certain they would have declared against us by now, had not the Japanese come in. Relations extremely tense, but steady.

[mrchuck]

1942, January. All quiet. The blockade is hurting Russia now.

1942, February.
The budget situation is improving. Construction of the two CAs has resumed, and they are due in 5 and 12 months. Still putting some in the bank as well. Not enough to refit or reactivate the BBs in reserve though.

1942, March.
France and Italy sign alliance. Interestingly, this has caused France's relations with USA to take a turn for the worse.

1942, Aoril
Refitting two Friedrich der Grosse BBs with HA directors and more AA. Activating the reserve BBs to keep the numbers up for three months. After this war, though, I will be discarding the Von der Tanns (8x 16"). Too old, not enough TP, and I can't afford to keep them around.

1942, May
Radar tech has improved, and the next round of refits will include radar upgrades. Time to drop night fighting from the training regime.

[mrchuck]

1942, June-December.
Russians still swinging around their anchors in port, still blockaded. French still hesitating.

Resuming construction of one Hannover class, might as well while I have the money. Putting the Von der Tanns back into reserve. They're no longer worth refitting and will be scrapped after this war.

New CA commissioned in July, and another due in 6 months.

The fleet is slowly fitting out with early radar sets.

Tension with France dropping. I am at a loss to understand the total lack of activity by Japan. They could have picked up Shanghai and Sakhalin by now but haven't. They have no opposition at all. Nothing much I can do about it. I certainly don't want those places myself, as this will sour relations with Japan later, even though I could theoretically invade Shanghai from Kwang-Chou-Wan. However these bases are small and far away. Too much dispersion of forces for my tastes.

1943, January. CAs Lutzow and Prinz Eugen find and sink Russian CL raider. Fleet morale, which has been lowered by defects in our standard AA gun, improves again.

1943, February-March.
Rumours of mutinies in the Russian fleet, and hardship on their home front. Germany perfectly calm and settled. War without tears, on our side at least.

1943, April.
Serious disturbances in Russia, but the General Secretary once again dismisses our peace overtures...which were perhaps a bit high-handed at that. However, I like having the large budget that this rather comic-opera war has provided, and if Russia wants to keep going I will. The French have quietened down a bit and unless the diplomatic landscape shifts--steady as she goes.

I will be looking to scrap rather than refit a fair bit of the fleet now, as it's obvious that I have more than I can pay for under normal conditions. For a start, the three Bluchers date back to 1915 and are looking distinctly antiquated. There are a few 30-year-old DDs and so on.

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I don't think Russia can keep this up much longer.

[mrchuck]

1943, April.
Some Russian CLs have ventured out of port. Supposedly we can ambush them, but just lately I'm somewhat suspicious of this sort of intel. It's provenance is pretty shaky given the CPSU's iron grip on Russian society.

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Nevertheless we'll counter and see what happens.
17 April, 1741: radar contact

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1755: Ordering flotilla attack
1821: So much for inferior enemy force. They have 3 Cls to 2. But since they're running anyway, who cares?

I will be having strong words with our intelligence chief about this.

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(continues)

[mrchuck]

1855: Recalling flotilla. They're just about out of torps.
2025: Enemy CL has rudder damage. We've been exchanging fairly ineffective gunfire for an hour; finishing the CL off and going home.

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2035: CL sunk

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Along with a DD. Major victory but no P.

[mrchuck]

1943, May.
CLs Koln and Augsburg surprise and sink a raiding Russian CL in the North Sea.
Japan has sent a single CA to the Baltic. I imagine the Japanese are hoping to get a reward in the peace without fighting--an unenterprising policy but perhaps understandable.
Relations with France worsening again.

1943, June.
The Japanese CA contrives to sink an older Russian BC, but is lost herself. CA Prinz Eugen sinks another Russian CL raider in a short gun battle.

1943, July.
CL Koln sinks another Russian CL in the North Sea.

1943, August.
The French Conducteur is spoiling for a fight. We may soon be fighting on two fronts. But Spain and the USA are getting alarmed by this posturing. Who knows where it will end?

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Activating the old reserve BBs again. I think I'm going to need them. Halting construction of one of the Hannovers--still 2 1/2 years off--and activating all the air units in the West, in view of these alarming developments.
Also designing new classes of CL, DD and KE to reflect increasing demands which are likely on the light forces. The fleet is becoming top-heavy.

1943, August.
Widespread disturbances in Russia. They sink a liner which is inclining the neutrals towards us. France still holding back.

1943, September
Finally!

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Sakhalin, Shanghai and Kamchatka up for grabs. I don't want them in the least.
The Japanese take Kamchatka. The German economy is now second only to USA. The French are bristling a bit less, but I can deal with them anytime they like.

Initiating radar and other upgrades for everything.

[mrchuck]

1946, July.
No conflcts over the last three years. Refits and a little new construction proceeding--and missile tech has been discovered. Next round of refits will be to add those as soon as we have a viable weapons system.
Also, airbase maximum size has increased to 60, which is the most I like to have in my games to keep the late game interesting. As soon as the expansions are complete, I'll be adding medium bombers everywhere.

Prestige sitting at 182 and tensions rising, but I'd like at least another six months before more adventures.

1946, October.
May not get it. Tension with Italy rising. And Italy is allied to France...
Moblising the fleet.

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1946, December. Italy has made a surprise landing in Malta and we are at war.
Ignoring the Med! France will come in soon enough, and I'm far more concerned about the possessions in Northern Europe which they will no doubt try to snap up, if I race off to the south. I'll need to recoup any prestige loss by smashing the French, one of my favourite activities. Their fleet does not look impressive.
I will deal with the Italians later if all goes well. I wonder what Japan will do? They're allied to both us and the French.

1946, February.
France not in yet. I think I'll send the fleet to the med after all in hopes of surprising the Italians. This will probably bring in the French...in which case, I'll leave again.

1947, March.
Defeated the invasion of Malta--great! However, France has declared war so back to Northern Europe we go, leaving behind a few ships in the yards for repairs of various kinds.

1947, April.
Japan cancels alliance with France. Excellent! France now blockaded due to the return of the fleet.

1947. May-June.
Very little activity anywhere.

1947, July. France invades Malta. We'll probably lose it this time. Blockade still holding up; they may have to disgorge it anyway if I'm patient.

1947, August.
We are now blockaded as the French have consolidated their forces. Waiting for an opportunity to get at them...

August 17, 1750. Offering battle in the Bay of Biscay. Normally I wouldn't at this stage of the game, but we have 4 CVs in company so I'll risk it.

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Indecisive carrier battle. We shot down twice as many aircraft as they did, but neither force hurt much.

1947, September.
USA enters on our side! Wonderful news, and the blockade is lifted as well.

[mrchuck]

1947, October.
USA signs alliance with us. Between us, USA and Japan we can take on all the rest of them.
The French are racking up VPs though, as they will only offer battle in Biscay. Since most of my DDs can't get there I'm not interested and have been declining consistently. They've taken Malta. Ho hum.

It looks a lot like Austria may join us too, since they can't stand the Italians.

BB Scharnhorst intercepts and annihilates a French CA raider.

1947, November.
USN reinforcements arrive in Germany: 4 BB, a BC, and no less than 23 cruisers. The blockade on France tightens.
France offers battle in Biscay again. We have mustered 13 BBs including the four American, 4 carriers and supports.

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Let's see what the enemy is made of.

November 24, 0630. Dawn soon. All units on high alert. We are very close to French airbases.

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0652: Radar contact.
0654: Open fire!

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0706: They don't seem to want to play.

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Well, we do.

(continues)

[mrchuck]

0715: They seem to be closing for battle. Ordering flotilla attack--should be right amongst them around dawn in 10 minutes or so.

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0731: Success!

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We've taken a lot of torpedo damage, but are hammering the French.
0750: USS New Mexico is hit by two more torps. Probably lost.
Reversing course, two more French capital ships are in trouble. Recalling flotilla attack. A furious battle has been going on between the opposing DDs. We've lost at least three, they've lost about twice as many. But their destroyer arm has brought much honour to the MN, that's for sure

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0810: BB Voltaire-class hit by 5 torpedoes.
Despite large amounts of torpedo damage, we still have 7 BBs in the fight to their three--which have apparently been abandoned by their screens. Pressing on for a larger victory if possible. The only major unit definitely lost so far on our side is one CL, and one BB probably as New Mexico has not been able to control flooding.

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(continues)

[mrchuck]

0845: We're closing on the French BC division. Hopefully can get a couple more kills.

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0939: Two BCs in big trouble. Trying to finish them off.

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0954: One defintely gone, the other to be deluged with shells as I retire.

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1003: Lyon-class hit by two more torps. All that remains is to retreat and ride out the enemy air attacks.
1008: Our strikes from Graf Spee start to go in. Something is hit...
1010: Z50 fires a spread of 4 at Lyon class: 4 hits, ship ripped open along her starboard side.
1016: Lyon class sinks.
1021: The French light forces have come around to contest the issue some more. Far too late: their charges have either retired or been sunk. We're low on ammo, but still in the fight.

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(continues)

[mrchuck]

So ends the Bloodbath of Biscay.

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Classed as a minor victory +1P in view of the considerable amount of damage sustained by the fleet. However, New Mexico did not sink in the end and for two CAs, a CL and 7 DDs we bagged a BB, three BCs, a CA and 9 DDs.

This was a good victory that hurt them plenty, in waters they considered safe. Strategically the balance has swung against them--they'll need 3+ years replace sunken ships, I'll need 1-3 months to get mine back. I note with some satisfaction that we sent their two newest BCs to the bottom.

The blockade has held up despite the large number of damaged ships--theirs that got away didn't get off scot-free either.

The Russians strangely seem a little less keen to get in on it now. Placing the Baltic air groups back into reserve for now.

1947, December-1948, January.
Significant losses to the merchant marine from French raiding. Some grumbling on the home front. The blockade on France is tighter than ever though, USN now has 6 BB, 4 BC, 17 cruisers and some carriers working with us. So apparently they weren't too upset about New Mexico getting knocked around.

1948, February.
Spain declares war on France.

New BB Hannover due in two months. Investigating a new CL class with 6" autoloader, and a new AA destroyer with 5" DP guns. Both look very promising! Eagerly awaiting some results from our experiments with missiles, too.

1948, March.
Battle damage from the Bloodbath almost all made good.

An enemy carrier force has surprised our squadron patrolling Biscay. This time we are rather further from their land bases, and I intend to keep it that way.

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However the fleet commander has allowed the carrier and surface task forces to become very badly separated. Ordering them to close up so they can support each other.
March 29, 0951. Possible air recon sightings of the French far to the east. Moving the surface forces between them and the carriers.
No contact between fleets. Neither side is keen on another battle here.

1948, April.
Alliance signed with Spain. Their fleet isn't that impressive, but they have nearly 300 aircraft on the south side of Biscay, as well as bases there I can now use. This changes things the next time the French want to fight here.

[mrchuck]

1948, April

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April 9:
Interesting. No Spanish bases active despite the alliance. I may have chosen poorly in accepting this battle.
Making off southwest as soon as possible.
0951: Radar contact.
Successfully avoided land and carrier based air, but one DD sunk by mines, for an enemy marginal. A lucky escape!
1948, May.
The blockade is starting to bite in France. Britain very much looking like they want to join in.

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BB Hannover joins the fleet.
1948, June.
Austria joins the war on our side. This should cramp the style of the Italians a little. The only nations still to take up arms are Britain and Russia.
CA Prinz Eugen disposes of another French raider, CA this time.
The straw that broke the camel's back.

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(continues)